Assistant Professor of Japanese

Western Washington University
Assistant Professor of Japanese

About the University: Western Washington University is a public four-year institution with competitive admissions. WWU consists of seven undergraduate colleges plus the Graduate School, with a total enrollment of approximately 15,000. Western is located in Bellingham, a city of approximately 90,000, on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have lived in the Salish Sea basin, throughout the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades watershed, from time immemorial. Situated between Seattle and Vancouver, BC, in an area of scenic beauty and extensive cultural opportunities, WWU offers easy access to major research libraries, both directly and through our library’s extensive interlibrary loan system.

About the Department: The Department of Modern and Classical Languages is home to 38 faculty members, 20 of whom are in tenure-line positions. We offer majors in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Latin American Studies, minors in Classical Studies, Greek, Latin, and Russian, and a teaching endorsement option for our major programs. Faculty teach at all levels of an undergraduate program and are expected to conduct research and participate in service opportunities. A number of department faculty participate in such interdepartmental programs as Canadian-American Studies, East Asian Studies, the Honors Program, Latin American Studies, as well as in the Linguistics Department.

The Department supports Western’s mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

About the Position: The Department of Modern and Classical Languages at Western Washington University is inviting applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning September 2022. We seek a generalist in Japanese with a specialization in culture, film, gender, literature, media, religion, or related field who will be expected to teach Japanese language courses and content courses (in both English and Japanese) for the undergraduate Japanese program and the East Asian Studies program. 

Responsibilities include: Standard quarter-system teaching assignment (2-2-2); exemplary teaching; active program of scholarly activity; service to the Japanese section and to the Department through a range of activities. The successful candidate will be expected to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students.

Required Qualifications:

  • PhD at time of application or ABD at time of application in Japanese with a specialization in culture, film, gender, literature, media, religion, or related field. If ABD, all degree requirements must be completed by June 15th of the first year of employment.
  • Ability to teach Japanese language courses and content courses (in both English and Japanese) for the undergraduate Japanese program and the East Asian Studies program
  • Native or near-native Japanese and English proficiency
  • Demonstrated evidence of excellence in teaching
  • Demonstrated commitment to excellence in scholarship and a dynamic research agenda
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse students and colleagues, including a demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivate learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds

Application Instructions: Application materials must be submitted via WWU’s electronic application system (PageUp) at https://hr.wwu.edu/careers-faculty?job=499045. Candidates must upload (1) a letter of application describing teaching philosophy and research plans, as well as addressing the required qualifications; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) graduate school transcripts; (4) a sampling of teaching evaluations; (5) a separate statement that addresses the ability to work effectively with diverse students and colleagues, and a commitment to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students (max. length one page); and (6) the contact information for three references, one of whom must address the candidate’s teaching effectiveness. 

Closing Date Notes: Position closes on November 1; applications must be received by this date. Screening interviews are anticipated to take place via Zoom mid-December. Finalist interviews are anticipated to be conducted in early winter.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.


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